Method for destination approach control of unmanned aerial vehicles

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for destination approach control of unmanned aerial vehicles, in particular delivery drones, to an arbitrary location defined by the recipient.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the German patent applications Ser. No 10 2015 011 033.0 filed Aug. 22, 2015 and Ser. No. 10 2015 013 104.4. filed Oct. 10, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for destination approach control of unmanned aerial vehicles, in particular delivery drones. There are already many considerations to serve the so-called last mile of the delivery of retail goods by use of autonomously flying unmanned flying objects, so-called drones. In today's business and production cycle, the last mile of delivery is still a gap which has hitherto been covered insufficiently. All other stations in the supply chain of mass production, mass transport by container, distribution logistics centers and ordering via online shops by the customer are already largely rationalized.

The last mile, i.e. the physical transfer of the goods to the customer, however, is still a high cost item caused either by the retail outlets where the customer must pick up the goods themselves, or by delivery services, which bring the goods to the customer. Through the use of autonomous flying drones, there are expectations that lead to considerable savings for the supplier as well as convenience and time savings for the customer.

The type of goods to be delivered is by no means limited to traditional retail consumer products. Also courier shipments, food supplies and medical supplies, pharmacies or emergency shipments can be distributed ideally in this way. Likewise, the drone may also pick up goods at the customer.

There are multiple descriptions of delivery drones known in great detail, for example, in US Patent No. 20,150,120,094^(th). Here both the UAV itself, autonomous route guidance to the customer, as well as various options for safe delivery of the goods to the recipient are described.

Nevertheless, in particular the destination approach and the handover of the goods to the customer, in following also referred to as the recipient, is still a major problem. Suggested are parcel boxes which are served and filled by the drone or marked safe landing zones, for example in the garden to which goods may be delivered. Both require an appropriate place to land nearby the recipient and detailed location information for a precise destination approach navigation which go far beyond the currently available navigation data on street level and the accuracy of conventional GPS. Deliveries in densely built-up areas., as well as multi-family homes without suitable open spaces are impossible with those methods. In case the recipient requires the delivery of the goods if possible at a location other than his home address, automatic delivery to a parcel box in his garden is of little use anyway.

Security is a critical factor in the delivery because near the ground there can always be unforeseen obstacles like kids playing or animals that can get in the way of the trajectory of the drone. Also, liability issues are still completely unsolved.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Object of the present invention is to describe a method for destination approach control of delivery drones to a recipient that does not have the disadvantages mentioned above.

The method allows a safe and reliable approach of the drone to any location where the recipient is located. At the site, no special devices or other supportive factors need to be present to accept the delivery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures show the following:

FIG. 1:

The recipient turns his mobile device A skywards and selects a section of the sky B which is free of obstructions. This section is displayed in the Camera Preview on the display C. Guides D as frame or a crosshair offer support. The selected position is saved by pressing button E and defines the safe approach corridor F (GPS position, compass angle, inclination angle). The light emitted from the light signal G of the drone K is recognized by the camera of the mobile device.

FIG. 2:

The fixed point H in the sky and the approach corridor F are determined from the current position of the mobile device A, the compass angle I, the inclination angle J and the known altitude of the drone in autonomous flight mode. The opening angle of the approach corridor F results from the angle of the camera. The fixed point H is exactly centered in the approach corridor F.

FIG. 3:

There is a closed control loop in place: The position of the drone K is captured by the camera of the mobile device A relative to the defined approach corridor F and transmitted to the central processing unit L. On the processing unit, firstly the drone K is identified based on the encoded light signal G and secondly, the exact positioning relative to the defined safe approach corridor F is recognized. Differences are calculated and corrective control commands are sent out to the drone K. The drone K adjusts its position and continues the approach.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, it is assumed that a delivery is always initiated or released by the recipient and that is he is situated at the desired delivery address locally. That's usually the case for food supplies., and courier deliveries and still an advantage when receiving regular retail shopping items. So the recipient can request the delivery at a time that fits best for him, for example even outside normal business hours. Also, he can choose the delivery location at short notice. For a drone is this usually not a problem, they can deliver the goods at any time on demand by a local delivery center in a timely manner to the recipient.

Disclosed is a method comprising the following components:

-   -   A delivery drone, operated by a supplier, capable of flying         autonomously from a local delivery center to a defined fixed         point in the sky in the vicinity of the recipient. The drone is         equipped with a mobile data connection to receive control         commands on the go. In addition, the drone has a light source         with which it can emit bright and coded light signals, as well         as distance sensors for collision warnings at close range.     -   A recipient of the goods who has a mobile device equipped with a         display, a GPS receiver, a mobile data connection, an electronic         compass, an inclination angle sensor and an electronic camera.         This can be a smart phone, a tablet, an augmented reality         goggles or a Smart Watch. A combination of these devices is also         conceivable. On the mobile device, an application of the         supplier is installed that has access to the functions listed         above.     -   A central processing unit, which is connected by s mobile data         communication with the drone and the mobile device of the         recipient. The processing unit will be able to perform image         analysis and send control signals to the drone.

The delivery process preferably now runs as follows:

-   -   1. The customer/recipient purchases goods from the supplier. The         order is preferably done electronically via an app or a website.     -   2. Shortly before the delivery of the items is scheduled or         requested by the recipient, the recipient is prompted by the         supplier to launch the software installed on his mobile device,         to go to a location in his vicinity from where he has a clear         view to the sky and there to hold the camera preview screen of         the application in such a direction from which the drone can         approach his standing location safely. The direction should in         particular be clear of obstacles such as buildings, trees, power         lines and possible intersecting vehicles etc.     -   3. Once the recipient has defined an appropriate approach         direction, the GPS position, the compass angle and the         inclination angle of this position are saved and transmitted to         the supplier.     -   4. At the central processing unit, a fixed point in the sky is         calculated based of the data transmitted from the recipient and         the flight level on which the drone moves autonomously. From         this fix point on the drone will start the destination approach         to the recipient in the approach corridor that was previously         defined by position of the recipient, compass angle and         inclination angle.     -   5. As soon as the drone reaches the fixed point, the recipient         is asked again to go to the predetermined location and to turn         his mobile device with the camera skyward. A crosshairs grid or         other guides in the Preview of the display of his mobile device         allow him to occupy exactly the same alignment that was         previously stored and transmitted.     -   6. Once the drone reaches the fixed point it appears in the         Camera Preview image which is sent as a Life-Stream to the         processing unit. The drone begins with the emission of light         signals which are also received by the camera and transferred to         the processing unit.     -   7. The drone starts now the destination approach. The recipient         has to keep his mobile device spatially constant, for which         purpose it is supported by an optical, acoustic or haptic alarm         in case of variations in compass angle and inclination angle. On         the Preview, crosshair lines or a frame support the recipient.     -   8. The central processing unit detects the light signal of the         drone as exactly the signal which belongs to the delivery of         this recipient, it evaluates the position of the drone relative         to the defined save approach corridor on the life stream and         sends correction commands to the drone.     -   9. The drone reaches the recipient and stops either by command         that the recipient has sent from his mobile device or         automatically based on a signal from the distance sensors.     -   10. The recipient unloads the drone and releases it for the         return flight. The drone flies back the same corridor as it had         come until it reaches again the flying height for autonomous         flying.

The described method encompasses a closed loop from the current position of the drone relative to the predetermined safe approach corridor. The live image of the drone is recorded by the camera of the mobile device and sent to the processing unit. There, the image data is analyzed and the position of the drone is detected with reference to the light source relative to the approach corridor defined by GPS, compass and inclination angle sensor. Deviations are recognized promptly and can be corrected. Thus a safe and accurate guidance of the drone in unknown territory is possible.

In case the recipient moves the camera preview of his mobile device away from the safe approach corridor or the life stream is interrupted, this is recognized by the sensors and the drone will automatically stop or abort the approach.

The closed control loop tolerates relatively imprecise data from the sensors in the mobile device. Neither GPS nor compass nor the sensor for the inclination angle must be particularly accurate, since first a rather wide approach corridor spanned and the drone position is constantly readjusted during the approach. It is even possible to use cell localization if just is no GPS signal is available. The approach corridor narrows ever further the closer the drone comes to the recipient until it finally reaches him with great precision. Gyroscope sensors might be used when available in the mobile device to further increase accuracy of the orientation sensors.

With the built-in light source, the drone can be accurately assigned to the associated recipient. For this purpose, each drone can send a specific code of light signals to identify itself. The detection of an illuminated dot on the camera-life-stream is much easier than detecting the drone itself. By use of a light signal, the drone is always reliably detected, even in the dark, at rain or poor visibility conditions. The drone will conduct its autonomous flight typically at a height of 50-200 meters. From this distance, the light signal can be clearly recognized with conventional cameras in mobile devices. It is conceivable to use a pointed light source which radiates only in the direction of the recipient. This saves energy and avoids interference with other people.

The light source can automatically adjust its brightness depending on the ambient lighting conditions and the distance to the recipient to maintain optimum visibility for the camera of the mobile device. With this automatic adjustment, is also avoided that the recipient or any other person in his vicinity be blinded or harassed while the drone approaches the receiving location. The size of the light source, as recognized by the camera of the mobile, may be used to calculate the distance between the drone and the mobile device allowing to smoothly adjust the approach speed of the drone.

Built-in distance sensors in the drone similar to parking sensors used in cars provide additional safety. The drone should stop in case something unforeseen intersects its trajectory or if the drone is intentionally directed against an obstacle or it has reached its destination point.

The rotors of the drone should be provided with a protection cover, so that there is no danger in case of an accidental collision with an obstacle or when getting in contact with the recipient.

As a further safety feature, the life image of the approach of the drone can be recorded by the central processing unit. Intentionally induced collisions by the recipient can be easily subsequently proved and any unforeseen incidents explained. The drone itself does not require having a camera, and thereby generates no conflict with the violation of the privacy of individuals in the area overflown. In case the recipient turns away the camera of his mobile device so that the done is no longer visible, the life stream may be interrupted to avoid transmitting sensitive images not related to the drone approach.

Similarly, the approach corridor can be identified as save by either a computer program or an employee of the supplier based on the transmitted image data and the approach can only then be granted.

The recipient may have the opportunity to pause the approach from his mobile device or cancel in case a safe approach is no longer given. If the connection is lost, the drone independently stops and flies back on the path to the fixed point.

The method is much more secure than fully automatic deliveries, since the recipient can intervene if necessary and can pause or cancel the approach. On the other hand, misuse is effectively prevented by the built-in security mechanisms. The recipient himself never gets in control of the drone, the control is always carried out by the central processing unit or by the drone itself. The recipient simply defines the safe approach corridor, for which he can also be held liable. Simultaneously, the recipient also responsible for the existence of the necessary overflight rights in the approach corridor.

A special advantage is that no infrastructure on the side of the recipient is necessary. There are no specific receiving stations needed or designated and marked landing zones. The exact geographical and topographical information about the destination area must not be known. It is even conceivable to make deliveries to places where landing is not possible at all, for example, on balconies or windows of multi-story buildings. As drone does not have to touch the ground to hand over the deliverables, it is preferable for the customer to have the drone designed in a way that allows convenient access to the deliverables without having to lean forward too much or getting close to the rotors of the drone

Further, it would even be conceivable to perform the described method supplies to and from moving destinations, such as a moving motor vehicle.

Since mobile devices with the characteristics described above are widely spread nowadays, the delivery procedure described in this application can be used immediately by everyone. The entire process of the destination approach as typically takes less than a minute, so that here no great effort is needed by the recipient. Overall, the delivery directly into the hands of the recipient is much more secure, flexible and above ail more comfortable than the delivery to a parcel box or another defined receiving place. 

1. A method for destination approach control of unmanned aerial vehicles, preferably drones with the ability to transport and deliver goods, equipped with a mobile data connection in order to receive control commands, to a recipient who has a mobile device with a mobile data connection, a display and at least one rear camera, characterized by the following elements: The unmanned aerial vehicle has a light source that can emit light signals at least during the destination approach. During the destination approach flight of the drone, the recipient receives the emitted light signals with the camera of his mobile device, thereby detecting the position of the drone. The detected position of the drone is compared with a previously determined safe approach corridor and from the deviations, control signals can be calculated for correcting the drone's position. The control signals are sent to the drone resulting in a closed control loop during the destination approach of the drone.
 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile device is equipped with sensors for determining the geographic position, the compass angle and the inclination angle. The safe approach corridor is determined before the start of the destination approach flight of the drone by the recipient by selecting with the camera preview image on the display of the mobile device an area in the sky from his current location that his free of obstacles and saving the geographic position, the compass angle and the inclination angle for this position.
 3. The method of claim 2, characterized in that the mobile device gives optical, acoustic or haptic notes to the recipient when he turns the camera of his mobile device away from the defined safe approach corridor during the approach of the drone.
 4. The method of claim 2, characterized in that the received light signal from the camera of the drone and the data of the safe approach corridor are sent as life stream to a central processing unit and can be stored there.
 5. The method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the drone pauses or cancels the destination approach in case the mobile Internet connection has been lost or no control signals are received.
 6. The method according to any preceding claim characterized in that the recipient may pause or cancel the destination approach of the drone from his mobile device at any time.
 7. The method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the light signal of the drone is coded and the code sequence can be used to uniquely identify the drone.
 8. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is the light signal is a focused beam of light that is emitted only in the direction of the recipient and its brightness automatically adjusts depending on the ambient brightness and the distance to the recipient.
 9. The method according to any preceding claim characterized in that the drone is capable to fly autonomously to a fixed point in the sky, which is determined from the intersection of the safe approach corridor and the altitude for autonomous flying, from where the destination approach starts.
 10. The method of claim 9, characterized in that the drone may fly back from the recipient to the fixed point in the sky independently. 